BBBS of Central MN serves Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Morrison, and the Northern tier of Wright counties.

A mentor is an adult who, along with the child’s parents/guardian, provides young people with support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement and constructive example. Mentors are good listeners, people who care, people who want to help young people bring out strengths that are already there.

As a Big/Little team, you decide together what you want to do and then you get approval from the Little’s parent/guardian. We recommend that you keep a consistent schedule of outings and get together on a regular basis. The outings will also depend on the comfort level of your Little’s parents/guardian, your Little, and you.

Share an activity that gives you something in common to talk about. Go to the library, check out a book and read together. Buy a comic book to read together. Play a board game. Go on a nature walk. Hit a bucket of golf balls at the local driving range. Take a ride in the car with the radio on and talk about the music you like. You want to select activities that give each of you a chance to learn more about one another. For children, playing can be learning. Most important: keep it simple and enjoy yourselves!

In the beginning it’s most important for you and your Little to get to know each other. This can happen best on a one-to-one basis. However, over time it’s also valuable for your Little to get to know the people who are important to you. Just keep in mind that if you’re spending lots of time with others, your Little may begin to feel jealous or neglected. The main focus is the friendship you develop with your Little.
If you are wanting your family, spouse, or friend along on regular visits we have a Big Duo and Big Family option as well.

Once you are matched with your Little, a Program Coordinator from the agency will be in regular contact with you to provide assistance and give feedback. Any time you are unsure about what to do or how to handle a situation, you will have a Program Coordinator there to help. They’ll help you with ideas for activities, guidance for handling possible difficult situations, and feedback on how you are making a difference.

No, Littles have a parent or guardian in their life already. What they need is a Big to spend quality, one-on-one time with them. Someone to have fun with, someone they can confide in, someone like you!

• Dr. Potter Bigs on Campus: We are partnering with St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud Technical & Community College, Spanier Bus Service, Trobec’s Bus Service, and the St. Cloud School District (ISD 742); AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students will be bussed to SCSU where they will be matched with an employee of SCSU or business professional from the community. They will meet twice a month on campus. The AVID program works primarily with students of color, low-income, or those whose families are first-generation college students. The purpose of this initiative is to introduce the students to college and provide professional adult mentors to the students.
• Sports Buddies: The Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Sports Buddies initiative is a fun way to mentor through participating and spectating sports. In this initiative one-to-one, mentoring friendships between an adult and youth are formed while engaging in athletics. Bigs make a 6-month commitment with the option to continue their match after the 6-month mark. They will attend 1-2 events per month organized by BBBS staff. Activities will be about two hours long and primarily on a Tuesday or Thursday evening, but this will depend on the activity. A 6-month calendar will be provided. The Big will only spend time with their Little at BBBS Sports Buddies events or at BBBS agency-sponsored activities. The Little’s family is responsible for coordinating transportation to and from activities. The BBBS Program Coordinator will conduct all scheduling and communication between Big, Little, and Little’s family. Sports Buddies is a great way to mentor and build community with other matches that love sports!
• College & Career Readiness: Big Brothers Big Sisters provides activities for our youth to help prepare them for college and a career. This includes such activities as: scholarship opportunities, Path for Success (mini college fair), college visits, Paying for College Workshop, etc. These activities are open to all current and past Littles as well as High School Bigs.
• Bigs with Badges: More info coming soon!
• Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents: The objective of the Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents Initiative is to create quality, lasting, one-to-one relationships that provide children of offenders with caring role models for future success. Mentors provide opportunities for youth to gain new skills and interests and expand their experiences beyond their families, schools, and neighborhoods by acting as a trusted friend.
• Operation Military Mentoring: Big Brothers Big Sisters supports children from military families and engages active duty, reserve, and retired military personnel as volunteer mentors. It’s an opportunity to provide support and friendship to families who give so much to protect our freedom.
• Faith-Based: Our Faith-Based mentors help the youth explore their faith journey while engaging in fun activities they both enjoy. Mentors may share about their faith to help the youth with their own faith journey and teach/model the importance of serving others. As with all of our mentors, this has to be approved prior with the parent/guardian and in interest of the youth.
• Bridging Generations: Big Brothers Big Sisters recruits and engages volunteers age 55+ to share their time and life experiences thru youth mentoring. This initiative makes a positive impact across the generations and offer long-lasting effects. Often times we hear potential mentors say, “I wish I would have done that when I was younger,” thinking they are, in their opinion, “too old.” We have found great success in mentors age 55+, both for the mentor and the youth.